Last year, the State Legislature approved $105 million in the State Budget for the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). This funding has been used to provide grants for artists and organizations across the state to help keep the arts thriving in New York. The pandemic has been challenging for many organizations, and this funding will help cultural and arts organizations stay afloat during these unprecedented times.

NYSCA awarded $265,000 in grant funding to various arts organizations and artists in the 115^th Assembly District which encompasses Clinton, Franklin and parts of St. Lawrence counties. “This is great news for the North Country,” said Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay Lake). “From artisan markets to arts centers and exhibitions, it is wonderful to see that the arts scene across the North Country is growing. The arts not only attract tourism, but more importantly makes our communities a better place to live. It’s imperative that the state continues to support arts and cultural organizations as they recover from the pandemic, and I will continue to push for more funding for the arts during the upcoming budget negotiations.”

Here is a list of the awardees in Assembly District 115: